Bali nightmare after woman’s horror discovery

24th Sep 2018 7:39 PM

FRIENDS are desperately raising money for an expat in Bali who has just discovered she has brain tumours - and travel insurance won't cover the cost of her urgent return home.

Kristen Dineen, 31, who has lived in Bali since a working holiday five years ago, thought she had a sinus infection but a doctor's visit last week delivered a shocking diagnosis: she had five masses on her brain, the largest of which was on her skull, 5cm in diameter.

While the young woman, from San Diego, California, is facing expensive medical bills and a costly flight home, travel insurance won't help cover the costs, because Ms Dineen had overcome melanoma in her 20s, and her current diagnosis is considered a pre-existing condition.

Travel insurers say Ms Hartley's high-profile case has prompted a spike in the number of inquiries about pre-existing conditions.

New Zealand woman Abby Hartley died in Bali after falling ill on her second honeymoon.

Chris White, the chief executive of Southern Cross Travel Insurance, told the New Zealand Heraldit had seen a 20 per cent increase in inquiries relating to pre-existing conditions since the case came to light.

"It certainly has resonated with the public," he said. "There has certainly been an increase in awareness."

Allianz and IAG also confirmed they had received more calls from travellers wanting to share and confirm their medical history.

All insurers said it was important for travellers to be upfront about pre-existing conditions.

"They should be asking themselves; have I had treatment? Or have I sought treatment?" Mr White said.

He said those who had already bought travel insurance could get back in touch with their insurer to declare anything they'd missed.

"The commonsense approach is to go back and declare anything."

Mr White while it could lead to higher premiums, it brought peace of mind.

And it included anything that arose between the time the policy was taken out and the date the traveller left for their trip.

"It is not a set and forget until you have actually departed," he said.

The young woman needs to be urgently sent home to the United States. Picture: GoFundMe

"Unfortunately due to Kristen's medical history - she fought and (beat) Melanoma in her early 20s - these new medical developments could likely mean the melanoma has reappeared and at a secondary point to the first cancer," the page read.

On the weekend she was transported by air ambulance to Singapore while she waits for her medical evacuation to the United States.

Friends said medevac was the most ideal option due to the medical staff on-board and the lower flying altitude.

"Due to the pressure this tumour is placing on her brain, the risks of flying on a commercial flight are potentially fatal," the page said.

While the trip to Singapore has added to Ms Dineen's costs, and the campaign has raised more than $120,000 of its $150,000 goal.